4th of July celebration at Stadium Bowl. 35,000 jammed into Stadium Bowl in 1924 to celebrate Independence Day with pageants and fireworks. Mounted horsemen from Troop F, 11th U.S. Calvary, bands, sailors and school children stood in the center of the vast bowl with the imposing Stadium High School to the left. The American Legion sponsored the festivities. G55.1-036; BU-11,612 (TNT 7-5-24, p. 1-article)

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Stadium High School (Tacoma); Crowds--Tacoma--1920-1930; Spectators--Tacoma--1920-1930; Celebrations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

4th of July 1924. These rows of fireworks lined up against a fence will soon be exploding into Tacoma skies at the 4th of July celebration held at Stadium Bowl in 1924. An estimated 35,000 people crammed into Stadium Bowl to watch the pyrotechnic display. G20.1-013

Celebrations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Fireworks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);

This display of fireworks at the 1924 4th of July celebration held in Tacoma's Stadium Bowl fully expressed what the people of Tacoma thought the correct name should be for our mountain. Tacomans waged an ultimately fruitless battle against the name "Mount Rainier" for Pierce County's majestic mountain. Residents insisted that the original Native American name, "Tacoma," be reinstated and references in local newspapers always referred to "Mt. Tacoma." TPL-308; G20.1-032

Fireworks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Celebrations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

4-man color guard awaits entry to the Stadium Bowl 4th of July celebration in 1924. They would join some 5000 soldiers, sailors and marines inside. Thousands would fill the massive bowl to view parades and fireworks at the American Legion-sponsored event. G67.1-121 (TNT 7-5-24, p. 1-article; Tacoma Sunday Ledger 6-8-24, p. 1-article; Tacoma Sunday Ledger 6-15-24, A-3 article)

Flag bearers--Tacoma--1920-1930; Flags--United States; Celebrations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);

Stadium High School Intermediate football team. Coached by William M. Jolliffe (third from left, back row), the Stadium team lost to Lincoln twice and tied the final scoreless game of the 1924 season. The team, with no players over 150 pounds, still exerted fine effort and perseverance despite playing a better team. G46.1-032 (1925 Tahoma yearbook, p. 91)

Football players--Tacoma--1920-1930; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Jolliffe, William M.;

Stadium Tigers football team in formation at Stadium Bowl on November 20, 1924. This was the school's second-team who would have a season of victory with their 2-1 record over crosstown rival, Lincoln. Howard M. Carr was the team's coach. TPL-9715; G46.1-035 (1925 Tahoma yearbook, p. 90)

Football players--Tacoma--1920-1930; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);

Four members of Stadium High School's first team demonstrate football positions on their home field of Stadium Bowl a few days prior to the big November, 1924, inter-city clash with Lincoln High. Harold Pirret did double duty as a tackle and end. Samuel Hansen was selected to lead the Tigers into battle as their captain and played both halfback and on the line. Robert Warnick, according to the Tahoma yearbook, played aggressively and well. Frank Jurich, left end, also won praise from the school yearbook for his quick feet, fine tackling and blocking and secure pass catching. (From L-R Pirret, Hansen, Warnick, Jurich) . The Stadium season would come to an end with a 3-0 loss to Lincoln who took home the Mark L. Davis' trophy. G46.1-033 (1925 Tahoma yearbook, various pages)

Football players--Tacoma--1920-1930; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Pirret, Harold; Hansen, Samuel; Warnick, Robert; Jurich, Frank;

Although the "first teams" of various sports seemed to get most of the attention, there were other teams worthy of mention as well. Athletes of these teams played just as hard and with as much enthusiasm as their brethren. The group pictured above on November 25, 1924, was the Midget team from Stadium High School. They were practicing within the confines of Stadium Bowl. G46.1-037

Football players--Tacoma--1920-1930; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);

Stadium High School track team. Cold December weather in 1924 did not deter these Stadium High School athletes from posing inside Stadium Bowl in traditional running gear. Stadium would be defeated in the annual interscholastic meet with Lincoln by a 72.5 to 56.5 score. Jack Cavin (second from right, back row) would be the high point man with 16 points to his credit. G46.1-020

Track athletics--Tacoma--1920-1930; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Cavin, Jack;

President Warren G. Harding and his wife visited Tacoma on July 5, 1923. A crowd estimated at 25,000 in the Stadium Bowl braved drizzling rain to give President Warren G. Harding and his wife a very warm welcome. Those in attendance had been asked to bring small American flags to wave upon the President's arrival in the Stadium. Thousands more had stood for hours on Pacific Avenue awaiting the Presidential special at Union Station. The Presidential party, including Cabinet Secretaries Herbert Hoover and Henry C. Wallace, motored to the Tacoma Hotel for a public reception after which President and Mrs. Harding visited the disabled veterans at Cushman Hospital prior to the Stadium appearance. The Hardings left Tacoma via the transport USS Henderson, which circled the bay close to Stadium, so that the crowds could give one last cheer. (TDL 7-5-23, p. 1) B8286; G68.1-074; TPL-901

Harding, Warren G.; Presidents--United States; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Guests--Tacoma--1920-1930; Crowds--Tacoma--1920-1930;

13 National Park buses parked compactly inside Stadium Bowl in June of 1925, just in time for the 26th opening season of Mount Tacoma and Rainier National Park. Each vehicle had four rows of seats where passengers could get plenty of fresh air and unrestricted views of The Mountain. The park buses were equipped with General Tires. Photograph ordered by General Tires. TPL-6199; G70.1-130

Buses--Tacoma--1920-1930; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);

Every nook-and-cranny in Stadium Bowl is jam-packed for 1926's 4th of July festivities. 40,000 witnessed the celebration of the 150th anniversary of American independence. Participants in the night's celebration included marines from the battleships in Commencement Bay and the guns of battery B, 10th Field Artillery from Camp Lewis. The program was sponsored by the American Legion and was held on Monday, July 5th. Stadium High School overlooks the Bowl on the left. BU11,616 (TDL 7-6-26, p. 1+) TPL-10131

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Stadium High School (Tacoma); Crowds--Tacoma--1920-1930; Spectators--Tacoma--1920-1930; Celebrations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Miss Tacoma at Stadium Bowl. "Miss Tacoma's" face is not clear due to this double exposure where a young sailor's image has been blended with her own. She posed standing in a late-model automobile with a number of sailors surrounding her during the 1926 4th of July celebration at Stadium Bowl. Dorothy Rothermel was chosen as 1926's Miss Tacoma. TPL-2054; G42.1-136

Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1920-1930; Rothermel, Dorothy; Celebrations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Sailors--1920-1930; Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Dr. Hinton D. Jonez (left), prominent Tacoma physician and civic leader, catches a ride aboard a police sidecar during the 1927 4th of July festivities. Dr. Jonez directed the American Legion Stadium program. It was the ninth year that the American Legion put on the 4th of July Stadium celebration. The other civilian passenger was tentatively identified as a Mr. Hayward. Names of the two police officers were not given. A uniformed band is gathered behind the men and motorcycles. G42.1-013 (TNT 7-2-27, p. 1-article)

Jonez, Hinton D.; Motorcycles--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Musicians--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Stadium Bowl's stands are packed with students and adults in this circa 1920 photograph. Lines of young boys and girls occupy the field while the school band plays on the outdoor stage. This is believed to be "Stadium Day," held each year in May. The "Castle," the massive turreted brick structure otherwise known as Stadium High School, overlooks the Bowl. G55.1-093

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Stadium High School (Tacoma); Celebrations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Crowds--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Tacoma's first known night baseball games were played in the Stadium Bowl on April 25, 1930. The Tacoma Teamsters Local # 313 team, pictured above with coaches and ball boy, shut out the City Lumber team 6-0 in the second half of a doubleheader. In the first game of the evening, the Firemen defeated Northern Pacific 5-1. These games opened the 1930 Industrial Baseball League season. With 18 teams in the circuit, there were undoubtedly other games played under the gigantic floodlights at the Stadium Bowl later in the season. (TDL 4-25-30, p. 10, 4-26-30, p. 8) TPL-875; G53.1-003

Firsts--Tacoma; Baseball players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Uniforms; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);

Construction of Stadium Bowl. Stadium High School (then called Tacoma High School) looms over the site of the Stadium Bowl under construction in September of 1909. Standing in sharp contrast in the foreground is an unidentified man in overalls holding the reins of his sturdy horse who is harnessed to a sled of some sort. In the pre-tractor, pre-truck days, horses were commonly used to haul materials to and from construction sites. BU-11577, TPL-1541

Stadium High School (Tacoma); Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Construction--Tacoma--1900-1910; Horses--Tacoma--1900-1910;

Lincoln High School and Stadium High School were playing their annual Thanksgiving Day football game at Stadium Bowl in 1948. More than 16,000 fans attended the game and cheered on their favorite school. View of half time performances; the Stadium High School drum majorettes are performing with the marching band, watched by thousands packed into the bleachers. (T. Times, 11/26/48, p. 1).

Football--Tacoma--1940-1950; Athletic fields--Tacoma; Marching percussion--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Drum majorettes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);

Lincoln High School beat Stadium High School, 13 to 7, in the big Thanksgiving Day football game classic at Stadium Bowl. Lincoln High School's football team won two titles in the 1948 season--Cross State Champions and City League Champions. View of the players in action at the big game at Stadium Bowl; students, families and friends of Tacoma's two rival high schools pack the bleachers to cheer for their favorite team at this annual event. (T. Times, 11/26/48, p. 1).

Football--Tacoma--1940-1950; Football players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sports spectators--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);

In 1948, Tacoma had two public high schools; and for many years on every Thanksgiving Day the cross town rivals Stadium and Lincoln met for an epic football battle. The gridiron battle was intersected by a halftime show featuring competitive spectacular performances by girl marching units and the schools' marching bands. Pictured, left to right, were Stadium High School's majorettes: Betty Johnston, Pat Mason, Rosemary Martenson, Joan Mason, Dolores Dessen and five year old Suzanne Ramstad. The girls were wearing their uniforms, boots and plumed hats. This year Lincoln High School won the game 13-7; there was no record of who won the half time show. (T. Times, 11/26/48, p. 1). TPL-9315

Football--Tacoma; Athletic fields--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma; Drum majorettes--Tacoma; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);

Army-Navy Football game at Stadium Bowl. Rear Admiral T.T. Craven and Mrs. Craven, in fur coat, watch the activities while in the officials' stand at Stadium Bowl on Armistice Day, 1936. A military pageant preceded the second annual Army-Navy football game. Adm. Craven's counterpart, Maj. Gen. David L. Stone of Fort Lewis, was also in attendance. The Navy team would go on to defeat Army 14-0; a larger margin of victory than the previous year. (T.Times, 11-12-36, p. 1, p.17)

Craven, T.T.; Craven, T.T.--Family; Admirals--Tacoma; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);

Members of Lincoln High School's pep band and choir form the word "LINCOLN" on the field in Stadium Bowl, facing the bleachers below the Ferry Museum building, at the annual Stadium vs. Lincoln 1937 Thanksgiving Day football game. A holiday crowd of 12,000 viewed the annual contest which saw Stadium crush Lincoln 34-0. Stadium took both the city and cross-state titles that year. (T. Times 11/26/1937, pg. 1-article).

Football--Tacoma--1930-1940; Athletic fields--Tacoma--1930-1940; Students--Tacoma--1930-1940; Events--Tacoma--1930-1940; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Marching bands;

On March 25, 1937, over 12,000 fans turned out at the Stadium Bowl to watch the annual Stadium vs. Lincoln Thanksgiving Day football game. This was a view of the south side of the Big Bowl as the teams prepared to put the ball into play. Spectators filled the concrete bleachers. The undefeated Stadium Tigers won 34-0, clinching the City Title for them for the 4th straight year, and making them champions of the newly formed Cross-State League. Structures adjacent to the stadium and high school are visible in the background. (T. Times 11/26/1937, pg.1).

Football--Tacoma--1930-1940; Athletic fields--Tacoma; Football players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Students--Tacoma--1930-1940; Events--Tacoma--1930-1940; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);

Soldiers, sailors, and marines from Fort Lewis and Bremerton faced off against each other in Tacoma's Stadium Bowl for a charity Army-Navy football game on Armistice Day, November 11,1935. Taps for the war dead preceded the gridiron conflict, and a 21-gun salute closed the event. Although a cold rain fell throughout the day, dampening the enthusiasm of the crowd and turning the field into a sea of mud, the Fort Lewis men put up a valiant struggle against the Navy team. In the end, neither team had much to show for their time or effort. The final score was Navy 6, Army 2. (T.Times 11/12/1935)

Football--Tacoma--1930-1940; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Holidays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Flags--United States;

On November 11, 1935, 8000 hardy fans braved the rain to pack the Stadium Bowl for the second annual Armistice Day gridiron battle between Northwest Navy and Army teams. The spectators protected themselves from the elements with umbrellas, while the pictured sailors were covered with slickers. Stadium High School loomed in the background over the stadium. The playing field for the game was a muddy mass of slime due to the cold rain that fell most of the day. The charity match was preceded by a military pageant, celebrating the end 17 years prior of the first World War. The game itself was a thriller where a forward pass in the closing minutes of the game gave Navy a 6-2 victory over Army. (T. Times 11/11/1935, pg. 1; T. Times 11/12/1935, pg. 1 & 11; Bremerton Sun 11/11/1935, pg. 1- all articles story only)

Football--Tacoma--1930-1940; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Holidays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Sailors--Bremerton--1930-1940;

1937 Stadium vs. Lincoln Thanksgiving Day football game in Stadium Bowl. Team members line the field. The stadium's concrete bleachers are filled with with the record turnout of 12,000 spectators. The game pitted the undefeated Stadium Tigers against the almost equally flawless Lincoln Abes. Stadium triumphed in a 34-0 shutout, the largest point spread since the Turkey Day Classic was inaugurated in 1923. (T. Times 11/26/1937, pg. 1- story only)

Football--Tacoma; Athletic fields--Tacoma; Football players--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma; Events--Tacoma; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);

On Thanksgiving Day 1937 before a crowd estimated at 12,000 fans, the Stadium High School Tigers beat the Lincoln High School Abes 34 to 0, clinching both the city championship and the Cross-State League title. The final score was the largest registered to that date in the annual competition between the two schools. Carl Opolsky, Stadium's halfback, picked up two touchdowns and two conversions securing first place as individual scoring leader in his league. (TNT 11/26/1937 p.12).

Football--Tacoma; Athletic fields--Tacoma; Football players--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma; Events--Tacoma; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);

Stadium vs. Lincoln Thanksgiving Day football game in Stadium Bowl, November 25, 1937. Stadium High School band led by drum majors performs in front of the field goal at the crest of the stadium. (T. Times 11/26/1937, pg. 1).

Football--Tacoma; Athletic fields--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma; Events--Tacoma; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Marching bands;

Stadium vs. Lincoln annual Thanksgiving Day football game, held on November 25, 1937 in the Stadium Bowl. The Lincoln High School marching band stands in "smoker's pipe" formation on the field; in the "bowl of the pipe" are the glee club and a capella choir blowing bubbles. Automobiles line the stadium and an old wooden building is visible in the background. (T. Times 11/26/1937, pg.1).

Football--Tacoma; Athletic fields--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma; Events--Tacoma; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Marching bands;